Thread: Antique porcelain shaving jars...how to restore?

So I'm getting into antique porcelain shaving jars. They're virtually sold out from most websites I come across but they look incredible and found a few that are just lids (they're called pot lids).

The lids are significantly cheaper than finding the complete jar, and I can spend some time hunting for a matching bottom, however the few lids I have found are horribly stained. Does anyone know how to remove the stains from these without removing the artwork?

***The cracking in the porcelain is called crazing and the staining occurs when dirt, oil, bacteria, etc. settle into the cracks. I've found a few ways to cleaning them (hydrogen peroxide, bleach, etc.) but I don't know if using those would smear off the artwork on the lids.

Why not ask a friendly antiques dealer?

Cant help, but i like the lid. Never seen any of them before. Would make a nice collection. Good luck.

I guess I didn’t know these existed. Thanks for sharing yet another aspect of this hobby. There must be a parallel vintage porcelain hobby that you/we could learn from. Maybe porcelain dolls? I wonder how people clean those? Just a thought. Sorry I couldn’t help more.

I use Simple Green and Awesome to clean most things and Vinegar for removing rust. A quick soak and toothbrush scrub.

You will have to experiment to see if they will also remove the art.

Originally Posted by Steel

I guess I didn’t know these existed. Thanks for sharing yet another aspect of this hobby. There must be a parallel vintage porcelain hobby that you/we could learn from. Maybe porcelain dolls? I wonder how people clean those? Just a thought. Sorry I couldn’t help more.

Yes, those of us who collect antique pocketwatches, the really old ones have porcelain dials as opposed to the later ones which have enamel dials. Usually the writing is etched into the porcelain so that will always be there however the ink or dye they use can be removed with harsh chemicals.

To clean tough stains on your porcelain surfaces, spray the stain with liquid bleach, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a sponge. Alternatively, try an ammonia solution of ¼ cup ammonia and ¼ cup baking soda diluted in a bucket of warm water.

Just keep an eye on it and if the writing starts to fade clean all the chemicals of fast.

Thank you sir! I shall give this a try!

Haven't seen these before. Thanks for posting

This one didn't have any staining, it's actually in immaculate condition. From the 1890s and the company still exists today, Roger and Gallet.

Fit nearly 3/4th's of a bar of Panama Boellis soap.